Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Kentucky

You’re here! YES! I am so glad you found the courage to pursue help despite the naggy inner voice that told you maybe you shouldn’t. The truth is we ALL need support and we ALL struggle-sometimes a little more than others. Life happens to us all. Are you feeling like life has hit a little too hard lately? Do you just need someone to help you navigate this mess? I’m your person. No matter what issue brought you here, I want to help you find the strength you’ve had all along. I know you want to overcome the struggles that have weighed you down for too long. You deserve freedom, and I am here to help you find it.

I am a trauma-informed therapist who believes in a person-centered approach to therapy. I want to help clients develop coping skills to manage emotions and create a balanced life. I believe in treating the whole person.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Kentucky and Wisconsin. My professional experience comes from a variety of settings, such as schools, home, outpatient treatment centers, and private practice. I welcome individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and young adults. I have experience in counseling individuals and families dealing with adjustment challenges, anxiety, and depression.

I have been in practice since 1999, when I received my MSW from the University of Kentucky. My work has been with families and children in multiple settings, with particular focus on trauma informed care. I am comfortable with family interventions as well as working with individuals. I have always enjoyed working with children and knew that I wanted to work with children and their families in some capacity. This work has been in a variety of settings, in patient, in-home, and outpatient and in school. I have completed the training for Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and understand how trauma impacts an individual.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and in need of a helping hand? Struggling with anxiety, past trauma, or parenting difficulties? Life's obstacles can be draining to navigate. I understand the difficulty and fear that comes with taking that initial step towards healing. In our sessions, I'll meet you where you are, providing compassionate support and evidence-based techniques. Together, we'll identify what's not working and chart a path towards a healthier, happier life.

Life can be stressful, but when you are confronted with major change, loss or trauma the simplest tasks can feel overwhelming. Therapy can help support, guide and heal current and past events, heal depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, abuse, as well as change patterns that continue to prevent relationship, social and professional goals from being met.

Feel like you are always on the outside looking in? Exhausted from people-pleasing? Maybe always felt like the adult growing up. Perhaps struggle to stay in the moment without always planning your next step or the opposite, stuck in the past. Plagued by loneliness? Feel like a burden if you ask of others? Does perfectionism plague you? You'll find a safe and non-judgmental space to speak uncensored and get tools to lessen anxiety and stress; form healthy relationships; and communicate effectively. Forgive yourself for not being Superhuman.

We are a private counseling practice in Lexington. Our remarkable team of clinical social workers and clinical counselors consist of Jessica Jaramillo, Vicki Von Almen Gray, Jennifer Congleton, Emma Lovely, Leeann Hayslett, Monica Stewart, Dr. Imelda Bratton, Joan Scales, Emily Porter, Dr. Becky Hill, and Rachel O'Farrell . We have a variety of specialties, experiences, and skills. As our name reflects, we focus on the clinical needs for all ages: young children, school aged children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. We offer day, evening, and Saturday sessions, to support diverse individual and family needs.

Hello! My name is Julie Williams, LCSW-S. I am a seasoned mental health professional with 20 years’ experience. Helping you achieve your optimal health is my goal. To me, this means first and foremost, your emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing are my highest priority. My practice involves, but is not limited to, providing psychotherapy to address issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, panic disorder, grief, and those with a history of trauma.

Is life feeling like too much to handle? Are you struggling with your own emotions or in your relationships? As human beings in a fast-paced modern society, we all face daily challenges and stressors. Some of us can navigate these issues on our own and others require a bit of professional support. I encourage clients to view therapy as a journey we embark on together. I have experience working with clients of all ages, and I welcome anyone who is looking to explore ways to improve their quality of life, whether it is due to life transitions, relationship conflicts, past trauma, or managing emotional challenges.

I am licensed to see patients in both Kentucky and Indiana. I completed my PhD in Counseling Psychology with emphasis training in Behavioral Health and Spanish Counseling. I completed my post doctoral residency in general mental health with Veterans Affairs. I have specialty training in LGBTQ+ issues and trauma recovery; including certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. I also specialize in psychological evaluations for varying issues including differential diagnosis, cross-sex hormone/surgery readiness, and disability.

It takes energy to initiate therapy and can sometimes be difficult to find the right fit! I’ve been a trusted guide and healing catalyst for several decades, helping individuals of all ages, as well as couples and families to address a wide range of issues. Clients often tell me they feel at ease our first session and many experience breakthroughs and results they haven’t been able to achieve in therapy previously. I am highly compassionate, present, empathic, and will offer my undivided attention and tap into the vast knowledge, skill, and experience I’ve gained over 30 years to partner with you to get the results you want.

We can choose to trudge through our days just barely getting by or we can choose to thrive when faced with difficult life experiences. Trauma can cause your mind and body to feel unfamiliar and scary at times. Distress can take the form of depression, anxiety, racing thoughts, lack of sleep, relationship issues and more. Most of us have some form of trauma in our past. The good news is each of us has an ability to heal from trauma, and seeking a skilled therapist is the first step in that process.

WELCOME! I offer a warm, caring space for you to openly share your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. You long to feel better, develop tools to cope effectively, have stronger more satisfying relationships, and for someone to really listen and understand. I understand how difficult the demands of life can be. The world can be a scary place. You do not have to brave it alone! As an EMDR trained professional, I can extend hope and a plan for healing. Together, we will explore your wants and desires, as well as your strengths to begin developing a plan that will enable you to live a more fulfilled, happy life.

I believe that we all have the ability to heal, and that this ability lies within. At times we need someone to walk the journey with us to help us find our inner strength and courage so that we can make positive changes. I believe it is important to work from an integrative perspective as we cannot separate the mind from the body. I see the therapeutic process as a sacred journey, and I would be honored to walk a part of your journey with you.

Perhaps you have once more found yourself in a familiar space of pain. You have been here before and it has become unbearable at this point. The burdens that you carry are overwhelming, and you are feeling that who you have become a shell of who you once were. Maybe you haven't felt like yourself since you were a kid. You've tried to apply what you know in your mind to be true, but there's something that keeps that truth from being felt at your core. You long for healing and rest.

Our mental health is important to our overall well-being. When it is good, it increases our productivity, enhances our self-image and improves our quality of life. For over 25 years, I've been committed to walking with others through their most challenging times. A safe, non-judgmental and compassionate listener can make all of the difference. I’m here to support you as you pursue change, hope, healing and even a resolve to the issues you face. Recently, I’ve gained additional skills by earning a second master’s degree, this time in Clinical Mental Health.

Most likely, if you're reading this, it's because you've hit that wall - and what you do next could make it a true turning point in your life. Do you find yourself feeling anxious and unsatisfied? Even stagnant and exhausted from carrying that proverbial monkey around? I'm absolutely confident that I can help. Why? Because for years I have successfully worked with the most extreme and complex trauma cases. How? RELATIONSHIP. Yes, I'm extensively trained with a litany of certifications, but that is far less important than my personality and approach. Why?

I believe that you are the expert in your life. I am honored to hear about your experiences and to help you process life events in a safe environment. I am passionate about providing clients with a space to feel seen, heard, and understood. My goal is to help you deepen your understanding of yourself by diving into your past experiences and how they affect you today. I believe that therapy is a relational process. My approach to therapy is multi-faceted and I commonly use a client-centered, relational approach with mindfulness woven into each session.